NORWALK -- Families celebrated an annual Norwalk tradition while living the Greek experience Saturday with the 2014 Norwalk Greek Festival, which continues Sunday from 1 to 10 p.m.

The festival, sponsored by St. George Greek Orthodox Church, offers a homemade Greek Cuisine, authentic Greek pastries, traditional Greek dancing, live Greek music and fun and rides for children.

"This brings the community together, both the Greek community and the entire Norwalk community," said Peter Koutroubis, treasurer for the church and one of the organizers of the event.

The festival, which has been running for about 35 years, is held every year on the weekend before Labor Day, from Thursday to Sunday.

"It's our largest church fundraiser of the year," said Koutroubis.

Proceeds from the event go towards church expenses and St. George's new 15,000 square feet community center/fellowship hall, for which construction started last year.

"A lot of younger families bring their kids here. It's a smaller festival, which caters to families. It's not a big monstrosity where you can get lost. We have the same people come every year. We have people from Norwalk and outside Norwalk," said Koutroubis.

The event features an agora (marketplace) with various vendors selling good such as books, paintings and jewelry. This year, the festival held a raffle with the top prize, a 2015 Jeep Wrangler.

St. George Greek Orthodox Church is the church home of approximately 400 families in Fairfield County. This year, the church will celebrate its 75th anniversary in September.

Held on the grounds of the church at the 238 West Rocks Road, the church is also open to festivalgoers to pray and light candles.

"We have people from every religion coming in to light candles. We have Muslims and Buddhists that says this is one of the most peaceful and prayerful churches in the area," said Tom Spiro, a member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church.

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